Paris town hall raided as part of an investigation opened by the national financial prosecutor’s office

The premises of the Paris town hall and its annexes were searched on Tuesday as part of a preliminary investigation opened by the PNF.

Searches are underway in the premises of the Paris town hall and in its annexes, Franceinfo learned from a judicial source on Tuesday March 5, confirming information from Le Monde. These searches have been carried out since Tuesday morning as part of a preliminary investigation opened by the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office (PNF), after Anne Hidalgo’s trip to New Caledonia and Polynesia at the end of last year.

This investigation was opened in November 2023 for “illegal taking of interests” and “embezzlement of public funds”. It follows a complaint filed by an anti-corruption association addressed to the Paris prosecutor’s office, which has since relinquished in favor of the PNF, as well as several reports from elected officials of the Paris Council or the Ile-de-France region. The searches are carried out by investigators from the Economic Crime Repression Brigade (BRDE), in the presence of PNF magistrates.

Anne Hidalgo “serene and confident”

Anne Hidalgo says to herself “serene and confident as to the outcome of these investigations” on his trip to New Caledonia and Polynesia, the City of Paris announced in a press release. The City of Paris adds that it will postpone, on Tuesday, “voluntary additional documents requested” by investigators. Anne Hidalgo “is calm and confident as to the outcome of these investigations and remains at the disposal of justice in order to allow the truth to be revealed” in the investigation.

As a reminder, Anne Hidalgo traveled to New Caledonia and Polynesia from October 16 to November 5. More precisely, the mayor of Paris went overseas from October 16 to 21, as part of her duties, before a private trip, from October 21 to November 5, which she claims to have financed personally.

On November 10, the Ethics Commission of the Paris town hall had in fact estimated that no public funds had been used for private purposes concerning this trip which had caused controversy. While some accuse Anne Hidalgo of having taken advantage of a trip – partly paid for by the City budget – for personal purposes, the mayor of Paris justifies this trip as part of a visit to future test sites for the Paris Olympics.